Atractosteus tropicus

(Gill, 1863)

Vernacular names
English : Tropical gar
French : Garpique tropical

Classification
Class : Holostei
Order : Lepisosteiformes
Family : Lepisosteidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Elongated and cylindrical body, reaching a total length of 1.25 m and a weight of 2.9 kg. Long and thin head with powerful jaws. Coloration greyish-brown with a more or less visible dark longitudinal line and black spots on flanks.

Range and habitat
Central America, found in both Caribbean (Atlantic) and Pacific drainages from Mexico to Panama. Lives in slow-moving rivers, backwaters, swamps and lakes with warm water.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species seems to remain fairly common to locally very common in its range.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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